Electric safety water light



May 29, 1945. A. J. LE STRANGE ETAL 2, 77,

ELECTRIC SAFETY WATER LIGHT Filed April 20, 1943 BY J0/IN D. G/JJOM AZTORNEY Patented May 29, 1945 N-ITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SAFETY WATER LIGHT Augustus J. Le Strange, Jackson Heights, and

JohnD. Gibson, Pelham,

Application April- 20, 1943, Serial No. 483,718

tion, of a preferred embodiment of our inven- 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a-sel'f-contained electric light, primarily intended for use by those sailing the high seas, who may perchance find themselves compelled to abandon ship or otherwise find themselves in the water, said light serving to direct aid to the distressed person. However, the light may be used under conditions under which an ordinary flashlight may be used,

and hence the light is not presumed to be re- .stricted tosuch sea or distress use.

i .In viewof the primary purpose, it is an important object of our invention to provide a selfcontained unit which is water-tight and resistant to corrosion by sea water.

Another important object is to provide a unit which, when it strikes the water, will be selfto provide a housing for electric cells provided with shock-absorber elements, so as to cushion the internal assembly from the shock or impact when the unit strikes the water and thus prevent any injury to thebattery or cells, or to the other electrical elements and connections, which might cause failure of the unit to light.

Another important objectis to provide a device of the character described, whichis inexpensive and reliable in itsoperation.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the cells may beside-loaded and the said cells securely confined-in place until purposefully expelled by the fingers of the hand, in a manner more particularlydisclosed anow.

In furtherance of the immediately preceding objective, it is an important object, of the present invention to provide a housing for said cells having suitable openings therein, said housing being preferably tubular and flexible diametrically.

While the above are some of the more important objects and features of the present invention, others will be disclosed :as the description of the annexed sheet of drawing proceeds.

Referring-to said drawing:

Fig. 1 isa vertical elevation, partly in section, showing its external appearance and part of the internal structure.

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevation,.partly in section, showing the internal assembly of elements and electrical connections. In this view the unit is right-side-up, and is the position'it assumes when in the water to emit light. 3

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing some additional detail and parts.

Fig. 4'is intended mainly as diagrammatic, to

illustrate the manner in which a cell is forcibly passed into the tubular housing therefor. It is also diagrammatic of What happens when the cell isejected. The view may be regarded as a horizontal sectional view at any convenient point along the tubular housing.

Fig. 5 is'asectional view on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2', and shows the normal position of the cell within the tubular housing,

Fig. 6 is a, circuit diagram of the device.

Fig. '7 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional View of the lower end of the casing as shown in Fig. 2, but showing some additional detail and parts.

Referring to the said. drawing, it willv be observed that our unit or device comprises an outer casing I, closed at one end, and open at the other to permit the insertion therein of the inner assembly, above alluded to and to be presently more specifically described. 'The said casing is 'made out of material'which is both a non-conductor and which is resistant to corrosion, particularly by sea water. It may comprise a tubular member la and a closure member or plug lb which is securely attached to said tubular member la, by pins 10, which are driven through said lattermembersas clearly illustrated in Fig. '7. The tubular member la is screw-threaded at 2,

around its outer surfacefor'an appreciable clis tance below the open end in order to receive a lens closure 3, provided with an internallythreaded circular flange 3a. Between the hemispherical portion of thelens and the'flange 3a is a flat annular portion-3b, between the surface of which and the rim Id of the tubular member la and the disc-shaped member 4, is tightly clamped a-rubber gasket 5 which closes or coversthe gap between saidtubu-lar'member and said member 4, and thereby prevents leakage of water past saidgap into the tube. The gasket 5 also, in a measure, forms a'seal to prevent .water from passing by the threads 2 and into the lamp chamber fi.

Referring now more particularly to the internal assembly, it will be seen that the same comprises a preferably plastic and transparent tubular housing I, the lower end of which is attached, by means of screws 8, to the member 9, the latter being referably of heavy metal and a conductor. The said housing 1 has a plurality of superposed openings therein, numbered respectively Iii, II and I2, which, for the sake of convenience, are arranged in vertical alignment. Seated upon the uppermost surface of the base member 53 is a metal coiled spring I3, such as is conventionally used in flashlights, Said spring has imposed thereon two standard flashlight cells Ma, and Mb, in the usual superimposition for series connection. Said cells Ma and Mb are inserted into the tubular housing 7 through the opening Ii) therein. It will be observed that the diameter of the cells exceed the width of said opening, but it is possible to force the said cells through said opening because of the inherent diametrical flexibility of the tubular housing, the forcing of said cells through said opening spreading the sides of the housing adjacent the opening to increase the apparent width of said opening to permit the cells to pass. This last-explained action and effect is clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. When the widest part of the cell passes the side edges of the opening, the deflected portions return to assume their normal curvature.

With respect to cell Ma, it will drop down the housing and come to rest on the spring I3. In inserting cell Mb, it is essential to push cell Ma down (against the resistance of spring I3), since cell I ie obstructs a considerable part of the opening I and it would not be possible to get Mb intothe tubular housing because the height of the cell is such that its top would reach considerably above the upper edge of the opening I0 were cell Mb to be superimposed on cell Ma without depressing the latter.

It is possible, however, to depress cell Ma sufliciently to permit cell Mb to be inserted through opening I 0 in the same manner as was done with respect to cell Ma. However, when cell Ma is released and permitted to return to normal position, it also lifts superimposed cell Mb to a position where the top part of the latter is engaged all around by the housing 'I, with the exception of an opening I5, to the rear and in part above the front opening Ill. Opening I5, however, is substantially smaller and is made sufiiciently large though to permit the intrusion therethrough of the thumb (in whole or in part) or some other finger of the hand. This rear opening I5 is provided to facilitate the removal or ejection of the cell or cells from the housing 1 when occasion requires.

It will be observed that the center post of cell Mb comes in contact with a copper bus or strip conductor I6 which passes through a slot (not shown) in said housing I and is attached by means of screw I I to an insulator disc Ill through an opening in said housing I.

The said disc I I3 acts to confine the cells Ma and Mb between it and spring I3 or base 9, whichever is preferred, and the area between said elements may be regarded as a cell compartment.

Supported on said disc I8 is a metal coiled spring I 9, similar to spring I3, upon which is supported cells Me and Md, which are inserted into housing I through opening II in the same manner as thatdescribed in connection with the insertion of cells Ma and Mb. At the rear of cell Md is an opening having the same function with respect to the ejection or removal of cells Me and Md that opening I5 has with respect to the removal or ejection of cells Ma and Mb.

The center post of cell Md contacts a loop IBa of the conductor I6 which passes through a slot (not shown) in the housing I, the emerging end Itb of said conductor being attached by means of screw 2I to insulator disc 22, passing through a hole in said housing.

The loop Ifia is clamped between the center post of cell Md and disc 22, and the space between discs I8 and 22 may be regarded as another cell compartment.

The emerging end IIib of conductor I6 is connected by soldering, metal clip, or otherwise to one end of a cotton-covered flexible conductor wire 23, the other end being connected to one of the electrodes or terminals 24 (Fig. 6) of a mercury switch 25, which latter is attached by a suitable bracket, such as 26, to housing 1. Access to said mercury switch is made possible by the opening I2 in said housing member 1.

Connected to the other electrode 21 is one end of a cotton-covered flexible conductor wire 28, whose other end is connected to a suitable contact element designed and arranged to be contacted by the central terminal of lamp 29.

Fig. 2 shows a single such contact element 35. Fig. 3 shows the conductor 23 connected to a lug 3|, which is slotted, or may be perforated, to permit the passage therethrough of screw 32. This lug is overlapped (or may overlap) by a. part of a separate contact element 33 for the center terminal of the lamp The overlapping portion of contact element 33 is also slotted, 33a, so that screw 32 may pass through both elements 3| and 33 and secure them both to the disc 4a, which latter is made of some preferably highly dielectric material.

Returning to the bottom of Fig, 2, and to the left side, it will be seen that there is another copper bus or strip conductor 34 running up the side of the housing. The lower end of said conductor 36 is attached by means of screw 8 to basal element 9 (which, as already stated, is preferably of heavy metal and a good conductor of electricity) through a hole (not shown) provided for that purpose in the housing I. This same screw, as already mentioned, also acts to attach the lower end of housing I to said member 9. The said conductor 34 is attached to disc I8 by screw 35 passing through a hole (not shown) in housing 1.

The said conductor 34 is looped, 34a, said loop passing through a slot (not shown) in housing I,

and makes contact with coiled spring IS. The

said conductor enters and emerges through the same slot, and the conductor continues, where it is attached to disc 22 by means of screw 36 passing through a hole in housing I: The upper terminal portion of conductor 3 1 passes through a notch or slot 3'! (Fig. 3) into the tube, and, as illustrated in Fig. 2, can be arranged to make direct contact with the spirally grooved ferrule 38 adapted to receive the lamp 29, and thereby completing the circuit.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a slightly different arrangement for making electrical connection between conductor 34 and ferrule 38. Here the inner end oi conductor 34 is provided with a hole through which is adapted to pass screw 40. Said inner end of conductor 34, however, overlaps (or may overlap) a lug M which has a large perforation (not shown) adapted to annularly embrace and contact ferrule 38, While the opp0- site end has a hole through which said screw 40 may pass through, the latter serving to attach both conductor 34 and lug 4| to disc 4a.

In order to allow for clearance between lug 4i and contact member 33, the disc 4a is provided with a depression or groove 42, so that normally the aforesaid two elements will be kept normally apart and thereby obviating ,a short circuit. However, as a matter of practice it is a good idea to insert an insulating washer 43 between the two elements to make assurance doubly sure.

Should it be desirable to remove the cells for replacement purposes or otherwise; the housing 1 is removed from casing l. The housing is grasped in the hand; thumb and index fingers are placed respectively (the one or the other) in the opening and (or II and 20, as the case may be). That means that the upper of the two cells,

in the given compartment, will be engaged between said, two digits. The upper cell is pushed down with both fingers and the finger in the opening I5 or 20, as the case may be, is pressed forward against the cell, The lower cell can be removed by turning the housing 1 upside-down, which would bring the said cell in position to be grasped between thumb and finger, front and rear.

Fig. 4 shows two arrows, one pointing toward the larger opening, the other toward the smaller opening. When inserting a cell you push it in the direction of the arrow pointing to the larger opening; when removing, you push the cell in the direction of the arrow pointing to the smaller opening.

It is recommended that where the lights forming the subject matter of the instant invention,

are made part of the equipment of a vessel, that they be attached upside-down to a bracket having spring clips for holding said light so that it may be quickly detached. They may be connected by a chain or other means to life-preservers or similar equipment.

It will be apparent that the cells are connected in series-parallel, with the switch in series with the lamp. Fig. 6 shows the circuit diagram, and requires no explanation.

It will be observed that there is a large empty space in the compartment between disc 22 and disc 4 or lamp assembly unit. This space is required to keep the unit sufiiciently buoyant so that it will project above the water sufficiently so that the light may be visible from a reasonable distance. It is also obvious that without this buoyancy chamber the unit would sink.

Attention is directed to the bowing of the several conductor strips 16 and 34 which impinge at spaced points along the unit against the inner walls of the casing la, This constitutes the shock-absorbing means alluded to above.

By proper adjustment, arrangement and design of the mercury switch, it is possible to have the light act as a blinker light. As the mercury switch at present used, and from which the annexed drawing has been made, is designed to give light through a swing of approximately 180 from the vertical, blinker action is not likely to occur unless the light is tilted by the waves or by the person, to a substantially horizontal position. The mercury switch obviously can be so constructed that a blinker effect will occur within a swing, say, of 90 from the perpendicular, less or more.

Having described our invention, what we claim water-tight casing, an inner removable housing, current-supply means therein, said casing having an air-space above said means sufiicient to enable said unit to float in water, a lamp in circuit with said current supply means, a switch in said circuit normally open when said unit is inverted and adapted to close automatically when said unit is righted, and spring cushioning means disposed between the inner wall of said casing and the outer wall of said removable housing.

2. A self-contained light unit comprising an elongated water-tight casing, an inner removable housing, a lamp circuit including current-supply meansconfined to one end of the housing with the lamp at the other, there being an air-space between said current-supply means and said lamp sufiicient to enable the casing to float in a substantially upright position with part of the unit submerged, a switch in said lamp circuit open when said unit is held in an upside-down position and adapted to automatically close when said unit is righted, and cushioning means disposed between the inner wall of said casing and the outer wall of said removable housing.

3. A self-contained light unit comprising an elongated water-tight casing, an inner removable housing, a lamp circuit including current supply means confined to one end of said housing with the lamp at the other, there being an air-space between said current-supply means and said lamp sufficient to enable the casing to float in a substantially upright position with part of the unit submerged, a mercury switch in said circuit, said posed between the inner wall of said casing and the outer wall of said removable housing.

4. A self-contained light unit comprising an elongated outer casing, an inner tubular housing having openings therein for the side-loading and removal of cells, means dividing said housin into cell compartments, cells in said compartments, a lamp, a switch, and conductors connecting said cells into circuit with said lamp and switch.

5. A self-contained light unit comprising an elongated outer casing, an inner tubular housing having openings therein for the side-loading and removal of cells, means dividing said housing into cell compartments and an air chamber, cells in said cell compartments, a lamp, a switch, and conductors connecting said cells into circuit with said lamp and switch.

6. A self-contained light unit comprising an elongated outer casing, an inner tubular housing of plastic material having openings therein for the side-loading and removal of cells, means dividing said housing into cell compartments and an air chamber, cells in said cell compartments,

1 a lamp, a switch, and conductors connecting said cells into circuit with said lamp and switch, certain of said conductors being in the form of long bowed strips interposed between the inner wall of the casing and the outer wall of the housing so as to cushion the inner assembly against shock.

AUGUSTUS J. LE STRANGE. JOHN D. GIBSON. 

